Replace sodas and sugary drinks with one of these easy recipes for infused water for a flavorful, hydrating, healthy drink!
While I always start my day with a homemade latte, and I love sipping on Mint Lemonade on a hot summer afternoon, the main source of my hydration comes from water.
And given that the average person should consume a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day, plain old water can get boring fast.
My number one way to combat this is to make infused waters. The process of making infused water couldn't be easier, and flavored water goes down a lot easier!
What you Need
To make flavored water, the type of water and the container you use is critical. As for the herbs, fruits, and/or vegetables you add, the combinations are endless and the choice is yours.
- Water: If you have well water, hard water, or tap water that has an aftertaste, use filtered, or distilled water for the best results.
- Container: You do not need a special infusion water bottle, but I do suggest, using a glass container, as some types of plastic can leach flavors into the water. I often use a glass mason jar.
- Fruits: Melons, berries, kiwi, and citrus fruits are all good options. Apples, pears, and peaches do not seem to do well in terms of infusing water with flavor.
- Herbs: Lavender, cilantro, basil, mint, fresh ginger, and cinnamon sticks all add a beautiful flavor to infused waters.
- Vegetables: There are not many vegetables I recommend using to make flavored water, but I do really love using fresh cucumber (regular or hothouse cucumber).
Flavored Water Combinations
While there are limitless variations of herb, vegetable, and fruit-infused water recipes, use these four recipes to guide and inspire you.
- Blackberry Mint Infused Water: Fresh mint and subtle blackberries are muddled together to create a ridiculously refreshing infused water. It is a lot like a blackberry mojito, without the alcohol!
- Blueberry Orange Infused Water: The sweet blueberries and tart fresh oranges make this fruit-flavored water sing with flavor.
- Lemon Lime Infused Water: I recommend using both sliced lemons and sliced limes to create water that is incredibly refreshing and filled with the essence of fresh citrus.
- Strawberry Cucumber Infused Water: The combination of the crisp freshness of cucumbers with the sweetness of the strawberries is incredibly refreshing.
∗ important to remember ∗
- Glass is best. You can use any food-grade storage container, but I do find that glass works best, as some plastic can leach flavors into the water.
- Clean everything! Whatever jar or pitcher you use to make the infused water, be sure they are well-cleaned. That goes for the fruit, vegetables, and herbs as well.
- Filtered water is best. For the purest taste, it is best to use filtered water--even if it is just filtered from your refrigerator.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. While you can enjoy your flavored water as soon as 30 minutes after preparation, it is best to let the flavors infuse for at least 3 hours. After 3 hours the water will have had time to be infused with the flavors. If you want really fruity and tangy water, wait 12 hours before enjoying it.
- Muddle the ingredients. It is best to mix up or muddle the fruit and herbs with the back of a wooden spoon before placing it in the refrigerator to help release the flavors into the water.
- Prevent bitterness. When using citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, or limes, the water can become bitter from the peel. Prevent bitterness by either removing the rinds BEFORE infusing the water or removing the citrus after infusing for 4 hours.
- Use organic produce if possible. Along with flavor, the fruits and herbs can leech pesticides and chemicals into the water if you don't select organic fruit.
FAQs on Flavored Water
Homemade Infused Waters will last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind you will want to remove the fruits and herbs after 24 hours so they do not break down and leave the water bitter.
YES! You can double, triple, or quadruple the recipes as desired.
I don't recommend using frozen fruit, as it will not release as much flavor and can break down easily in the water.
Yes, but the water will not be as potent or flavorful. It is best, to add water to the container once you reach the halfway point so that the flavorful water mixes and imparts some flavor to the new water. You can repeat this process for up to 3 days. Fruits with strong flavors, such as lemon, pineapple, and orange, are best for multiple infusions. Fleshy fruits, berries, and melons are not well-suited to multiple infusions, as they break down quickly.
More Delicious Beverages
- Pina Colada Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Coconut Vanilla Coffee Creamer
- Tropical Kale Smoothie
- Mango Smoothie
- Mint Lemonade
The options for homemade flavored waters are LIMITLESS. I would love to know if you have a favorite combination. Share in the comments so we all can be inspired.
Infused Water
Ingredients
Blackberry Mint Infused Water
- ¼ cup fresh blackberries
- 2 small sprigs fresh mint or about 10 mint leaves
- 4 cups filtered water
Lemon Lime Infused Water
- ½ large lime sliced
- ½ large lemon sliced
- 4 cups filtered water
Strawberry Cucumber Infused Water
- ½ cup strawberries hulled and sliced
- ½ cup cucumber sliced
- 4 cups filtered water
Blueberry Orange Infused Water
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 1 large orange sliced
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Place the fruit and/or herbs of your choice into a clean glass jar with a lid or a glass pitcher.
- Muddle (or break) up the fruit and herbs a bit with the back of a spoon to help release natural flavors.
- Cover with 4 cups of tap or filtered water and place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or 12 hours for really flavorful, tangy water.
- After 24 hours, remove the fruit and herbs to prevent the water from becoming bitter.
- Store the infused water in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Angela
Loved the precise information and formulas. Worth the time in reading.
Kim
I like strawberry, lemon, and mint in my water or I do lime,orange, and lemon. So you have any ideas on
using kiwi? I love it but it has no flavor in the water
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kim! Honestly, the best way to infuse kiwi into water is to blend peeled kiwi with water and then chill.
CJ
Cover with 4 cups of tap or filtered water and place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or 12 hours for really flavorful, tangy water.
After 24 hours, remove the fruit and herbs to prevent the water from becoming bitter.
So is i 3-12 hours, or 24hrs? I can't seem to find this anywhere. I'm making strawberry lemon infused water. Trying to figure out how to do it properly.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi CJ. You want to wait at least 3 hours but 12 hours is best.
Julie Briare
Anyone have an opinion on the water filters that are built into refrigerators? My fridge dispenses water on the front.. as well as ice cubes. Do these filters count as good water filters?
Kristen Chidsey
I replace my refrigerator filter every couple of months as instructed per the manual. I do have a whole house filtration system on top of this, which I feel is superior.
SAC
What do you do with the fruit after drinking the water? That might seem like a strange question but it doesn't flavor the water as well after using it and I hate throwing it away.
Smoothies are one idea I have thought of but would love other ideas.
Kristen Chidsey
Honestly, I would discard or eat myself. The fruit has little flavor left after sitting in the water.
Reginia Sam
Thanks for these recipes. We also have the soda stream machine which makes excellent sparkling water which I will use with the fruit recipes.
Kristen Chidsey
That will be delicious!
Angela Grilliot
Have you made any with ginger? I would love a flavor combination using this...I have infused water JUST with ginger, but would love other ideas.
Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
I have combined ginger with lemon and LOVED it.